Chapter 1007: The Inner Residence's Anxiety

Ruhui recorded as he answered. Once Zhao Jin finished speaking, he revised a few strokes, then smiled with a sigh and said, "When I was a child, my father always wanted me to take over Cloud Mountain Temple. He constantly taught me to manage all its affairs, great and small — how to read people's hearts, how to place trusted aides. He even said back then that this set of skills would be enough to make a capable official on the path of scholarly honors. Later, I never became that abbot or superintendent, nor did I become an official, yet I never expected it would all prove useful now."

He spoke lightly, but his words carried no small amount of wistful emotion. Everyone laughed. Wang Zhaojing then spoke to Zhao Jin, "Big Brother, names like 'Farming and Reclamation,' 'Trade,' and 'Artisan Works' alone seem to lack a certain gravity. Could we set up official posts for them, like the regiments, companies, and squads within the camp?"

"Farming and Reclamation Office, Commerce and Trade Office, Artisan Works Office — the head of each shall be called Office Chief." Zhao Jin already had a plan prepared.

Everyone nodded. Ruhui said with a smile, "Before, the names were not proper and the words not fitting. Now, we are dignified Office Chiefs!"

"This is the broad outline. How to implement it, how to structure the departments under each office — we must all work out the details together. Mister Zhou, after you return to Qingjiangpu, we can discuss it through correspondence. Do not be stingy with the fast horses carrying the letters." Hearing Zhao Jin's words, Zhou Xuezhi quickly agreed.

At this point, Zhou Xuezhi spoke again, "My Lord, before I came, I was entrusted by Li Ziyou of the Chenbei Firm. He asked that you take in a few sons of the Li family into the Zhao Character Camp. They are all elite warriors from a military family and will surely be of help."

This referred to Li Sen and his brothers. Zhao Jin said directly, "Have them go to the martial academy first and learn the rules of our Zhao Character Camp before anything else."

Seeing a troubled look on Zhou Xuezhi's face, Zhao Jin smiled and said, "They have rendered meritorious service and have the experience of accompanying the army this time. Their starting point will naturally be higher than that of ordinary student soldiers. In our academy, there are also examinations. If they truly have ability, learn quickly, and test well, they can soon emerge as household troops. If they cannot learn or pass the tests, what use would we have for such men?"

"With you saying this, my Lord, I can give Li Ziyou some explanation. It is not that I have any collusion with him, but the Chenbei Firm's contacts with the Jianzhou Jurchens are increasing, and they can gather quite a bit of intelligence." Zhou Xuezhi still cautiously explained.

The core circle of the Zhao Character Camp all knew how much importance Zhao Jin placed on intelligence regarding the Jianzhou Jurchens. Hearing Zhou Xuezhi say this, Zhao Jin nodded, indicating he would make the appropriate arrangements.

The meeting dispersed. Chen Hong only cared about his treasury and hurried back to tally the accounts. This time, the Zhao Character Camp's northern expedition into Shandong had seized a vast amount of gold and silver, but also incurred enormous expenses. With the inflow and outflow being consolidated, his workload was extremely heavy. As for Wang Zhaojing, Ruhui, and Zhou Xuezhi, all three looked preoccupied. After this detailed discussion, the matters they needed to think over and accomplish were simply too many.

Regarding Xu Housheng's assignment, Zhao Jin had long since discussed it with Xu Zhenzhen. There was no need to mention it separately. Moreover, among these offices, there was one related to foreign affairs and maritime trade. If Yu Zhiyuan could continue moving forward with the Zhao Character Camp, that position would be his.

Following the daily routine, Zhao Jin went to the encampment to supervise the troop training. Seeing the sky growing dark, he returned home under the escort of the cavalry unit. Leading the escort this time was cavalry squad leader Bayin. As they approached the gate of Zhao Jin's private residence, Bayin could not help but say, "My Lord, Wang Ziyang has been constantly seeking us out, asking us to pass a message to Master Jin. Wang Ziyang earnestly desires an audience with Master Jin."

Among the household troops of Mongol origin like Bayin, some were former guards and associates of Wang Ziyang, and others were slaves Wang Ziyang had bought back from the steppe. Bonds of old friendship still existed between them. After saying this, Bayin first explained, "The men who inspect the cavalry horses and treat them have always been veterinarians from Wang Ziyang's side. Only through them could the message be passed. It is not that we were acting privately."

Zhao Jin's personal guards were kept as isolated from outsiders as possible, precisely to prevent anyone from being bribed. Hence, Bayin needed to explain. Zhao Jin was not angry; he merely smiled and said, "For your sake, let him come see me at the Cloud Mountain Firm tomorrow."

Hearing Zhao Jin say this, Bayin paused, then his face broke into a delighted grin. He quickly bowed in thanks. Zhao Jin patted him on the shoulder and entered the courtyard. The matter of Bayin meeting with the veterinarian had long been reported to Zhao Jin by the informants planted by the Internal Guard Unit. Members of the Prospering Dragon Society had also submitted a report to Zhao Jin. Within the personal guard unit and the cavalry unit serving as his close escort, there were many members of the Prospering Dragon Society.

Zhao Jin's attitude toward seeing Wang Ziyang was strictly business. As for the cavalry officer Bayin, this was a gesture of face given to him.

Upon entering the house, two nursemaids, along with Meng Ziqi and Mei Xiang, came to greet him with Zhao Feng and Zhao Long. Seeing their father return, his daughter and son both pounced on him with beaming smiles. When Zhao Jin had returned from Shandong, he had been somewhat worried. It was said that after experiencing great battles, the mountains of corpses and seas of blood, the smell of blood and gunpowder smoke would frighten children. No matter how much one bathed, the children would cry the moment they were held. Yet upon returning, he discovered it was all a myth. How could little children even perceive such things?

After playing with the children for a moment, Zhao Jin felt somewhat puzzled. His wife had not come to greet him upon his return. Where had Xu Zhenzhen and Mu Shulan gone? He glanced at Meng Ziqi and Mei Xiang. Both girls dared not make a sound. One of these girls was Xu Zhenzhen's managing maid, and the other had been assigned by Zhao Jin's mother, He Cuihua. They were considered the head servants, but with that status, how would they dare to speak carelessly of the mistress's affairs?

Fortunately, the awkwardness did not last too long. Xu Zhenzhen and Mu Shulan walked out one after the other. Xu Zhenzhen's face bore a haggard look, while Mu Shulan was frowning in contemplation. Seeing Zhao Jin, and then the glances cast over by her own maid and Meng Ziqi, Xu Zhenzhen naturally understood what had happened. She merely rubbed her forehead and said, "Right now, several major matters are starting simultaneously on the Xu family side. We must expand the firearms workshop, forge farming tools, and also dispatch blacksmith apprentices to the various farming estates. The younger generation of the Xu family must also go along. Second Uncle and Housheng cannot handle it all; I have to help manage everything."

Zhao Jin shook his head helplessly. Saying she was helping to manage was, in reality, taking full charge. For the vast Xu family to accomplish these things, all its resources had to be mobilized. And the only person who could mobilize them and make every faction obey was Xu Zhenzhen alone. This matter, nominally for the Xu family's sake, was in truth being done for Zhao Jin. Thinking of this, Zhao Jin sighed and only said, "Don't overwork yourself."

"Once all this is done, the true core strength of the Xu family will be concentrated and placed under Housheng's management. Second Uncle will manage the original coal and iron industries. When that time comes, it won't be like now, where you always feel a layer of separation when you want to reach in. You will be able to direct everything as you wish. Then it will be you and Housheng managing things, and I will be able to rest." Xu Zhenzhen replied with a smile.

The core craftsmen who forged weapons, armor, firearms, and all the various steel and iron implements needed by the Zhao Character Camp were being drawn out to establish a manufacturing force directly subordinate to the Zhao Character Camp. It would no longer be as it was now, with the Zhao Character Camp assigning tasks to the Xu family. This would greatly increase efficiency and output, eliminating many intermediate steps and disputes. This matter had been proposed by Xu Housheng, approved by Zhao Jin, and vigorously pushed forward by Xu Zhenzhen.

The children spent more time with Xu Zhenzhen and Mu Shulan and were naturally closer to them, immediately crowding over. Xu Zhenzhen laughingly picked one up. Mu Shulan's brow, however, remained furrowed the entire time. Once they were seated at the dining table, just as Meng Ziqi was about to step forward and ask if the dishes should be served, Mu Shulan suddenly spoke, "Jin... Husband, could you have them all withdraw for now?"

Zhao Jin was taken aback. Xu Zhenzhen also looked over while holding the child. Seeing the utter seriousness on Mu Shulan's face, Zhao Jin waved his hand. Mei Xiang, standing to the side, was fine, but Meng Ziqi looked a little aggrieved. Still, they both curtsied and withdrew. Once all irrelevant persons had left the room, Mu Shulan spoke with some agitation, "Husband, Wang Haoxian in Luanzhou has disappeared."

Hearing this name, Zhao Jin paused for a moment before reacting. This was the so-called orthodox current-generation sect leader of the Smelling Incense Sect, the direct son of the sect's founding leader, Wang Sen. Nominally, he was a figure who could command the followers of the Smelling Incense Sect throughout the realm.

Xu Hongru, who had been sent to the capital to be executed by a thousand cuts, also claimed the title of sect leader, but he could only control the sect followers in Shandong. The Smelling Incense Sect followers along the Grand Canal, in Northern Zhili, Southern Zhili, and Henan nominally revered Wang Haoxian as their sovereign. Of course, while Xu Hongru only had Shandong, he could truly command it. Wang Haoxian was said to be sovereign over all under heaven, yet his commands might not even extend beyond Yongping Prefecture, where Luanzhou was located.

"If a man like that has disappeared, then let him be disappeared," Zhao Jin said indifferently. A figure so ruined by wealth and comfort was truly not worth worrying about. Zhao Jin even wondered if Mu Shulan's agitation was due to some physical discomfort.

"Husband, Wang Haoxian is a pampered young master, but he has some capable and shrewd individuals by his side. While these shrewd figures usually stay in Luanzhou to serve Wang Haoxian, once they go down into the provinces, they can immediately build up a considerable situation. That was exactly how Xu Hongru was back then. I fear a second or third Xu Hongru appearing. I fear even more that they will now go to Shandong and gather up the situation that you shattered." Mu Shulan spoke faster and faster.

"The Wang family keeps many sworn death warriors and is fond of using assassins to kill people. I am just afraid that if they secure a foothold in Shandong, they will target you. I... I had originally thought to wait until everything had settled, then ask you to send men to watch Luanzhou. I never expected that the Wang family would not go to the court to maneuver as they did before, but instead simply vanished..." Mu Shulan was growing anxious.

Zhao Jin glanced at Xu Zhenzhen. Xu Zhenzhen pretended not to see his look and simply continued playing with the child there. Zhao Jin gave a wry smile. He only found what Mu Shulan was saying rather odd. Logically, with a hidden enemy like the Wang family, they should have arranged surveillance beforehand, not become nervous only after the fact. Besides, what could a faction like the Wang family, which had never managed to accomplish anything, possibly do in the current situation?

However, he could hardly ignore his own woman's anxiety and tension. Zhao Jin patiently asked a few questions and roughly came to understand Mu Shulan's line of thinking.

Thanks to old friend "Qi Sanwen" for the tip, and thank you all for your subscriptions and monthly tickets. Thank you all.